Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Z ack had asked if I wanted to visit the local town after breakfast. It seemed like a great idea – it looked lovely as we drove through it yesterday – however, it turned out to have been a very bad idea walking the short distance into Agios Nikolaos. The sun was hot, hot, hot and my feet were now dead, dead, dead. My trusty little handheld fan was now clinging on for life, but doing a good job keeping a constant breeze on my face, but my poor feet would need a cool soak later on. Or right this second.
“I should have worn my trainers,” I said. You’d have thought I’d have learned after Rome. Sandals are not for walking long distances.
“We can get a taxi to take us back when we’re done,” he promised. “And I’ll give you a foot massage too, how does that sound?”
“Sounds perfect.” I smiled. I let go of his hand and slipped my arm around his back, and he did the same to me. Affectionate, yes, but it also meant I could lean on him a bit. I didn’t want to kick off this fantastic holiday by moaning. My poor feet though…
Once in the centre of the town, we walked over a small bridge, which ran over a sliver of sea. The bridge led to a small lake, which had bars and restaurants circled around it and was overlooked by a rocky hillside with various random religious shapes carved into it. And cats. Lots of cats that were clearly feral, yet seemed much friendlier than my pampered Bing.
As I looked out over the edge of the water, I could just make out large groups of fish sitting under the shade of the bridge, almost teasing me to join them where it was nice and cool. It was only ten o’clock in the morning, but it was scorching. I was pleased I’d chosen to wear factor-fifty suncream for the first day of the trip. I looked further into the small lake, but I couldn’t see the bottom. Although the sea itself was turquoise, this small body of water was almost black. We called into one of the restaurants for a drink and the waiter told us how locals believed the lake to be bottomless. Apparently, it was said that one of the Greek goddesses used to bathe in it at night.
We rehydrated ourselves, sipping on freshly squeezed orange juice, and rested our feet before setting off again and taking in more of the town. We walked hand in hand as we admired the small independent shops. One of the shops actually led down into a cave, where a little old Greek man was selling his handmade wooden souvenirs. He sat in the corner, chiselling away as we browsed. I fell in love with the shops selling handmade jewellery. Zack told me to pick something out so he could treat me, but I couldn’t make up my mind.
“There’s no rush,” he said, with his arm around me. “We have loads of time here yet.”
We set off again and held hands as we walked past the cruise ship stationed at the marina, a different one to yesterday. Around the coastline, all I could see was blue. It was difficult to see where the sky ended and the sea began. I could understand why Zack’s parents would want their holiday home to be there. It was wonderful.
“Let me know when you’re hungry,” Zack said as we sat on a bench watching a man sitting with his legs dangling off the pier, a bucket on one side of him and bait on the other as he firmly held his fishing rod. “We can find somewhere to eat. You have a lot of places to pick from.”
“I know where I want to eat,” I said confidently, still watching the fisherman.
“If you’re waiting for Achilles to snag a fish, you could be waiting a while.” Our Greek fisherman was not having much luck.
“Dammit. Well, my second option was back near the lake. Did you see the restaurant that sits on the sea edge? It looked good.”
“I’ve been there, you’ll love the pizzas.” He stood up and pulled me up with him. “I’ve been there a few times with Chloe. She and her parents don’t get on very well, and whenever they pushed her a bit too far, we’d escape down here and grab a bite there. It’s a great place.”
I felt a pang of jealousy hit me right in the gut. I’d not met her yet, and already I was beginning to hate her. I just needed to keep reminding myself that he brought me here with him. Even though he knew she would be here, and he could have left me at home, he brought me. I needed to stop being silly. This wasn’t the same as Sarah’s situation with Max The Wanker.
It was just after twelve o’clock when we arrived at the restaurant, just in time for lunch. The tables were sheltered with a huge canopy so we could enjoy our food without feeling like we were on a grill. There were fans scattered about too, blowing cool air from the sea breeze onto us, which was nice.
We both ordered iced water and asked for a few minutes to look over the menu. I looked up at Zack sitting across from me. He was reading his menu, but glanced up and gave me his mischievous grin.
“What are you thinking?” I flirted with him, tickling his leg with my foot.
“I’m wondering if we could get the pool to ourselves again tonight.”
“What did you have in mind, specifically?” I leaned in closer, not wanting the neighbouring tables to hear us.
“Well,” Zack closed his menu and put his hands on mine, bringing his face close to me, “I thought we could…”
“Oh my God, Zack! Aahhh!” The unmistakeable mating call of a twenty-something girl erupted from behind us, shocking one of the waiters, who almost stumbled over the edge of the pier and into the sea. He survived, but the bundle of clean tablecloths he was carrying did not.
We both looked up and saw Chloe bounding towards us, her abs on show for the whole of the island to see. Zack was barely able to stand up before she threw her arms around him, her long hair flinging over his shoulders as though claiming its territory. She was one of those girls who, like Sarah, could allow her hair to flow freely no matter how hot and sticky the weather was. I subconsciously made sure my ponytail was still in place, and that my top was pulled down over my stomach.
Zack pulled back from her grasp. “It’s great to see you. What are you doing here at this time? I didn’t think you kids liked to get up before noon.”
“Oh, my mum was driving me up the wall.” She pulled back the chair next to Zack, put her shopping bags under the table, and sat down. “She was going on and on about me going back to uni and finishing my law degree. I had to get out.” She turned to me and elbowed Zack in the side. “Are you going to introduce us then? Men!” She tutted and laughed. “They’re so rude, aren’t they? Do you know I saw the funniest TikTok today about a female Greek poet called Sappho who was married to a man called Kerkylas of Andros, which actually translates to Dick Allcocks from Man Island, isn’t that hilarious?” She shrieked again. “So fitting sometimes. Not that you’re a dick, Zack, you know I love you.” She stroked his arm. “So, introduce us!”
As Zack made an official introduction, I outstretched my hand, but she got up from her seat and smothered me with a hug. “It is so nice to meet you!” She returned to the seat next to Zack. “It’s so nice to finally have a girl here too. Not that Zack isn’t fun, with the amount of late-night pool parties we’ve had over the years.” She playfully elbowed him in the ribs. “Has he made you his signature pi?a colada yet? He makes such a good cocktail.” She rubbed his arm again. “We got so wasted last year, do you remember?”
“Vaguely.” He laughed, looking uncomfortable.
“My mum was so mad, as we’d used all the rum. Hilarious. It was worth the scolding.” It was difficult to keep up with her. I’d never heard anyone speak so fast and without stopping for breath before.
They seemed so comfortable in each other’s company, which was nice, but the idea of them getting drunk and having a pool party of their own made me lose my appetite, even if it was in the past. I had a niggling urge to call Sarah. I needed her to tell me it was all okay and there was no reason to worry.
“Have you ordered yet?” She picked up Zack’s menu. “I’m starving.”
“We were just looking over the menu. Have you decided yet?” He reached out for my hand, pulling me towards him, and out of my nightmare daze.
“Oh, sorry, no. Well, actually–”
“We should get a pizza,” Chloe cut in. “Get the massive one and share it. It’ll be enough for the three of us, it was too much for just us two last year, but I reckon we can manage.”
“Let’s do it, we’re on holiday.” Zack put his menu down and called the waiter over, ordering the large pepperoni pizza. At least he had picked my favourite topping.
An hour later, I should have been in total bliss. Perfect pizza, sexy boyfriend opposite me, the never-ending ocean to my right, but unfortunately there was something on our table demanding all of the attention. If I had a shot of ouzo for every time she rubbed his arm, I would have been mighty tipsy. Why couldn’t she just back off? I got that they’d known each other for a long time, but you don’t constantly touch someone’s boyfriend right in front of them. Was she jealous that he was with another woman?
“Well, I should go,” Chloe finally said, standing up. “Do you want any money for the pizza?” She put her hand on Zack’s shoulder and I fought every urge not to push her into the sea.
“Nah, don’t worry about it. You can get the next one.”
“Okay, laters!” She felt the need to bend down, arse so close to Zack’s face he could have kissed it, to pick up her bags from the floor and finally leave us alone. So much for a romantic lunch, all I could picture now were her perfect buttocks and thighs. She didn’t need to worry about chafing in this heat.
“Sorry about Chloe, she can be a bit much sometimes. Are you all right?” he asked. “You’ve been quite quiet.”
“Oh yeah, it’s pretty hot. I can get grumpy if I’m too hot, sorry.” It was broadly true, I did get grumpy when too hot, but it was a lie right now. This was supposed to be a relaxing holiday, a first holiday, with my boyfriend. How could I relax if Chloe was going to pop up unexpectedly at any moment?
“Well, let’s head back up to the villa. We can get a taxi and have a siesta in our air-conditioned bedroom once we’re back.” Now it was his turn to tease my leg with his foot. He rubbed my hand with his finger, up my arm to my face, pulling me close as he leaned over the table to kiss me. “I am sorry about Chloe though, she is used to being the centre of attention. She properly monopolised our lunch there.”
“Just a bit. Not to mention talking non-stop about you two having had mad summer pool parties.”
“Not like our pool party last night, please don’t think that. She’s not interested in me. We’ve been friends for a long time, ever since our parents bought those villas.”
The waiter came by with our bill and Zack pulled out some money.
“I don’t mind if you want to walk back up,” I lied. “Save money on a taxi.”
“In this heat at this time of day? Neither of us will survive. Come on,” he grabbed my hand, pulling me up with him, “our bath is big enough for the two of us. No one can interrupt us there, and your feet need a good rub.”
On the third day of our holiday, we had managed to get the villa all to ourselves. Alistair and Miranda had gone out to meet friends and wouldn’t be back until that night. Stan, Beverley and Chloe were also absent for the day, which meant the pool was ours for the taking. As the pool was private for just the two villas, and was away from public view, it meant no one could see us as we fooled around under the water. Pool sex was an odd but welcome experience. I couldn’t wait to tell Sarah about it. Well, if I would be telling her at all. She would love how we’d attempted it on a lilo though. I’m not sure why we thought that would work, however, that is how we ended up underwater.
“What time is everyone due back?” I asked, as I wrapped myself in a towel and positioned myself on a sun lounger under an umbrella. It was mid-afternoon and nearing thirty degrees. Definitely time for an afternoon nap in some shade.
“I don’t know.” He pulled one of the loungers up next to mine so we could lie together. “Later on tonight, I think. They won’t be rushing back. Do you want a drink before we snuggle up?” He had been so attentive all day. Whether it was to make me feel better for the meal yesterday, I wasn’t sure. Or was this just who he always was? Every night before bed, he always asked me if I wanted a drink, or anything to eat. The other week, just as we had been falling asleep, I realised I had left my phone in the living room. I use my phone for my morning alarm, so shoved the duvet off myself ready to go and get it, but Zack went instead, instructing me to stay comfortable. That’s just who he was.
“I’m all right, thanks. I’ve got a bottle of water somewhere.” I pulled my sunglasses down over my eyes. I was finally feeling like I was on holiday. Our skin was still wet from the pool, so the breeze felt nice on my skin. “This is so comfy. Can we stay here forever?”
“You won’t get any argument from me. This is heaven.”
A gentle breeze blew over us. A cicada called out from somewhere in the grass. Zack’s breathing got heavier next to me as he began to fall asleep. Otherwise, the silence filled my ears, and I was soon joining Zack in the land of nod.
I was lost in the villa. Each door led me back to the entrance. How do I get out? I could hear laughter through the door to my right. I pushed it open, expecting to be in the dining room, but I found I was back in the entrance. I ran up the flight of stairs and through our bedroom door, but I was back in the entrance again. Help!
“ Zack! ” I called out. “ Where are you? Help! ”
“ I’m through here! ” He laughed, as he shouted from the next room.
I ran forward, pushing the door open, expecting to be back where I started, but I could see the back of the sofa. Finally, I was no longer trapped in a labyrinth. Zack’s head was visible, so I walked around to join him, but he was sitting with Chloe. No, he was lain on top of her on the sofa. They were cuddling, kissing…
“ What’s going on? ” I shouted. “ What are you doing? ”
I woke myself up by calling out in my sleep. Zack sat up and shuffled closer to me.
“Are you all right? You jumped pretty hard there. Bad dream?”
“Something like that.” My mind shot back to visions of Chloe and Zack kissing in my dream. As I woke up fully, I released my clenched jaw and breathed out. My towel had slipped down, exposing rather too much of my cleavage. I was brave enough to wear a bikini today knowing we would be all alone, but I had started to feel very insecure since my dream. “What time is it?” I removed my sunglasses, feeling where they had dug into the side of my head and left an imprint.
“Woah, almost four. We’ve slept for a while.” He yawned as he sat up and stretched. “Oh, hello! When did you get here?”
I looked up to see who he was talking to nearby, hoping his parents hadn’t witnessed my boob slippage.
“I’ve been here ages. You two were well out of it!” Chloe was on the sun lounger opposite us, lying on her front next to a discarded bikini top, evidently topless. “You were making some funny noises, Jenny.” She giggled.
“I thought you were out all day?” Zack rubbed his eyes.
“Nah, I couldn’t be bothered spending the whole day with them two. I slept in late and was going to come out here, but saw you two were busy enjoying yourselves earlier.” She winked. I was mortified. “So, I hid inside until you fell asleep and then I came out. Actually,” she sat up, pulling her top across her front, “Zack, could you top up the suncream on my back for me? I don’t think I got it everywhere, and I’d hate to burn.”
“Of course.” I watched as he sat behind her, rubbing factor ten into her neck and shoulders. I mean, come on. Factor ten? Why bother? You may as well rub milk into your skin. Why was she doing this? What about girl code? I think the most touchy-feely I ever got with Max The Wanker was when he accidentally stood on Bing’s tail, after which his leg looked like it’d had an encounter with Freddy Krueger, so I helped to clean him up with antiseptic wipes.
I pulled my towel over myself and stood up.
Chloe glanced up, just for long enough to flutter her eyelashes and give me a half smile.
“Where are you going, babe?” Zack asked, continuing to rub the suncream onto her shoulders.
“Just nipping to the bathroom, won’t be a tick.”
As soon as I got inside, I ran up the stairs, holding back tears. In our room, I found my phone, which I’d left on charge. There was another photo from Sarah with a message. This time, Bing was in her kitchen, sprawled on his back in a seemingly mischievous mood.
Your cat somehow found my favourite red, lacy thong, mistaking it for cat food, and ate it… He’s okay. The thong, however, met a grim end. X
I laughed out loud, tears filling my eyes. My finger hovered over the ‘call’ button, but I hesitated. I didn’t want to break our silence with my tears over a silly bit of jealousy, although if someone was going to understand my concerns about a twenty-something girl, it would be Sarah. I peeked out of the window at Zack and Chloe. They were laughing together, their heads close. She playfully pushed him. In my mind I was ‘playfully’ pushing her too. Towards the deep end of the pool.